5 matchups to watch between 49ers and Rams

The 49ers will look to get the Kyle Shanahan era off the ground Thursday night after two ineffective showings on offense to start the season.

Shanahan’s club will be looking for its first touchdown of the year against their California rivals to the south when the Rams come to Levi’s Stadium.

Let’s take a look at five key matchups that will go a long way toward determining the outcome on Thursday night.

DT Aaron Donald vs. 49ers interior

The 49ers might not go against a better defensive player this season than Donald, who returned to the lineup last week after missing training camp and the preseason to hold out for a new contract.

(Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

Donald played 48 snaps (68 percent) in Sunday’s 27-20 loss to Washington. It was his debut in new coordinator Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense. Donald logged two tackles, a quarterback hit and tackle for loss.

Donald is arguably the most explosive defensive lineman in football. He times the snap beautifully and hits gaps quickly to test the reaction time of opposing offensive linemen.

However, Washington appeared to take advantage of Donald’s quick breaks Sunday to the tune of 229 yards rushing. The downside of breaking into the backfield quickly is the space it can create. Donald, at times, can over pursue allowing the defensive front to get gashed.

The 49ers offensive line — and new left guard Laken Tomlinson, in particular — will have its hands full on Thursday trying to account for Donald.

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